Preparing for Life After the Bus Stops Coming: Vocational
& Community Integration
Explore the shifting needs of individuals as they transition from the public school system into adult services, provider organizations, and DDA-aligned supports. Learn where families, schools, and provider organizations often experience gaps during that transition.
From The Post Secondary Transition Podcast
Since 2022 • 98 Episodes
Join hosts Meghan Smallwood and Patrick Cadigan for an insightful discussion on the transition process for students with disabilities.
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Session at a glance
About This Session
Bridging schools, adult services, and families through the transition years
Explore how needs shift as young people leave public school and enter adult services and DDA-aligned supports—and where families, schools, and providers often lose alignment.
- See how IDD support has evolved and what that means for transition planning today
- Spot common handoff gaps between school teams and adult service providers
- Strengthen collaboration across families, schools, and community programs
What You'll Explore
A comprehensive look at the transition process and how to bridge gaps between systems
Evolution of IDD Support
Understand how education and support for individuals with IDD has evolved and what that means for current practices.
Transition Challenges
Identify common gaps when individuals move from public schools to adult services and provider organizations.
Collaborative Solutions
Learn how families, schools, and provider organizations can work together for smoother transitions.
Who Should Watch
Anyone who supports students or young adults across the transition cliff
Transition Coordinators
School and agency staff leading transition planning
Special Education Teachers
Educators preparing students for adulthood
Provider Organizations
Teams receiving young adults from school systems
Families & Advocates
Parents and champions navigating adult services
Meet Your Speakers
Hosts of The Post Secondary Transition Podcast
Meghan Smallwood
Transition Coordinator
Meghan has been serving the public school system for around two decades. She has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education (Birth-21) from Marywood University, and a Masters Degree in Severe Disabilities from the University of Maryland-College Park.
Meghan worked for 6 years as an Academic Life Skills teacher at the middle school level & another 6 years as an Academic Life Skills/Enclave teacher at the high school level before moving on to become a transition coordinator. Transition has always been her passion!
Patrick Cadigan
Transition Coordinator
Patrick has been a special educator in the Public School system for nearly a decade. Patrick first started working at a public separate day school before moving to become an Academic Life Skills teacher at the middle school level.
During COVID, Patrick pivoted to become a resource teacher and finally moved to support the school's regional program. Recently, Patrick took initiative and moved to work as a transition coordinator. Patrick is a proud Towson Tiger with a dual-certificate Bachelors Degree in Elementary/Special Education & Masters in Special Education with a focus in Autism studies.
The Post Secondary Transition Podcast
A podcast focused on the ins and outs (and everything in between) of the secondary transition process for families of students with disabilities. Hosts Meghan and Patrick serve as supportive guides, leading families step-by-step up each rung of the transition ladder.
Since 2022 • 98 Episodes
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